Twin Row Corn May Out-Yield Narrow Rows

Twin Row Corn May Out-Yield Narrow Rows CROPS Miscellaneous 21-6-41 "We're interested in finding a cheaper alter-native than the wholesale conversion to narrow rows. Twin row corn just might be the answer," says Tony Vyn, crop scientist at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, who, along with research assistant Greg Stewart, has had good luck with corn planted in paired rows. Last year twin row 30-in. corn planted in pairs 7 in. apart yielded 8 bu. per acre more than 20-in. rows. The 90-day variety was planted May 5 with a modified Deere 71 flexi-planter. A double toolbar and five planting units were added so 10 sets of twin rows were planted on 2 1/2-ft. centers in one pass. Populations were set at 28,000 and 36,000 ppa. Yields were significantly more with the higher population - 157 bu. per acre, compared with 148 for 20-in. rows and 141 for single 30-in. rows. Vyn and Stewart believe the advantage comes from having more room - at least a full 7 in. - between plants than corn planted in 20 in. rows. "Both the 30-in. twin rows and 36-in. twin rows we experimented with combined nicely with 30 and 36-in. heads," Vyn notes. "The only problem we'd expect is if there'd been significant lodging." As a ballpark guesstimate, given twin rows' yield advantage over narrow rows, Vyn says there's a possible capital cost savings of $10,000 to $15,000 (Canadian) over conversion to an entire 6-row system, including planter, header and narrow tractor tires. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tony Vyn, Crop Science Dep't., University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada NIG 2WI (ph 519 824-4120, ext. 3397; fax 763-8933).

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